Bishop’s Note 10 December 2022

• New Notes or Changes to Notes will have this bullet and will remain new notes for two weeks, then will shift to the • until they are removed from the Notes. Upcoming Events changes or additions will be italicized and then shifted to Ø until removed.

 
Upcoming Events:

• The following is a list of upcoming events I will be attending in person. If I am in your area and you would like to go to lunch, coffee, have a chat, etc. let me know.

 

• 9-10 December Region 8 Steering Committee
• 14 December @ Synod Office
• 18 December St. John/Bethany, Warren
• 21 December @ Synod Office
• 26 December – 2 January Synod Office Closed.
• 26-31 December Family Vacation
• 4 January @ Synod Office
• 7-8 January @ Army Reserves
• 11 January 2023 @ Synod Office
• 15 January 2023 First English and Mt. Zion, Punxsutawney
• 16 January 2023 30th Anniversary of Ordination
• 17 – 30 January 2023 ELCA Bishop’s Holy Land Visit
• 1 February @ Synod Office
• 2-11 February Region 7-8 Holy Land Visit
• 12 February St. Paul, Erie
• 15 February @ Synod Office
• 18 February 1st ALWL Luther Class
• 19 February Trinity, Smethport / Gethsemane, Port Allegany
• 22 February Ash Wednesday
• 28 February – 4 March Conference of Bishops, Chicago
• 4-5 March @ Army Reserves
• 8 March @ Synod Office
• 15 March @ Synod Office
• 19 March Lamb of God, Erie
• 22 March @ Synod Office
• 26 March St. Matthew, Mt. Jewett
• 29 March @ Synod Office
• 29 March @ First, Warren
• 31 March – 2 April @ Army Reserves
• 4 April – Chrism Mass
• 5 April @ Synod Office
• 7-10 April – Synod Office Closed
• 12 April @ Synod Office
• 16 April – Gethsemane, Port Allegany / Trinity, Smethport
• 19 April @ Synod Office
• 23 April – St. John, Warren
• 24-28 April – Army Reserves, Ft. Snelling, MN
• 30 April – Abiding Hope, Erie

 
Ø  Sunday Supply Dates: February 22 Ash Wednesday, February 26;  March 12, April 9*, 21 May, 25 June. *Mercer/Crawford/Erie.
 
Churchwide Events:

• Presiding Bishop Easton’s Christmas Message – Click on picture/link.

 

• A new offering from the ELCA – More information is attached to the Notes.

Q. Who is Journi for? 
A. Journi is for anyone who feels called to lead in the ELCA. The site was built with the intention of being attractive to an audience under 35, with an interface that was also friendly for those who may be less tech-savvy. With abundant content in various forms, Journi is built for all kinds of learners who are ready to take their next, most faithful step. www.journi.faith/

• Greetings to the ELCA Companion Synod Leadership to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. The link below is the latest newsletter from ELCA Regional Representatives, Daudi and Kellen Msseemmaa, ELCA mission personnel in Tanzania. In this edition that there is another new diocese within the ELCT. The ELCA has bilateral relationships with 21 of the Dioceses. We give thanks and celebrate with the continued growth of the church in Tanzania. This edition of the newsletter also has stories from the All-Africa Youth Congress held in Ghana. Here's a link to the November newsletter: bit.ly/3EVxPvs

 

• The ELCA’s Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program is ready for new volunteers! Applications are now open, and you can invite young adults on this journey abroad for the 2023-2024 program year. If you know young adults aged 21 to 29, this is the time to reach out. Encourage them to apply for YAGM by the deadline of Feb.1, 2023. (Priority deadline is Jan. 15, 2023.) YAGM volunteers will begin in August 2023.

 
Through YAGM, young adults will learn what it means to serve in a spirit of accompaniment as they walk alongside global church companions. They’ll become immersed in a new community and form deep relationships. And they’ll confront issues of wealth and poverty, racial privilege, gender privilege, economic disparity and globalization, all through the lens of faith. Learn more at ELCA.org/YAGM.
 
Young adults will find relevant opportunities for professional experience, including:

• Health and human rights: Health care, HIV and AIDS, homelessness, immigration and refugees.
• Education: Fine arts, youth education, childhood education, working with people living with disabilities.
• Environmental justice: Agriculture and farming, development, environment.
• Professional support: Office work, communication, technology, finance.
• Congregational ministry: Children’s ministry, Christian education, youth ministry, congregational ministry, camp ministry.

 

• Rostered Leaders Gathering - July 17-20, in Phoenix, AZ

Gathering highlights:
·        90 workshops offered over four workshop blocks
·        Inspiring and educational speakers and Bible study leaders
·        An interaction center with over 30 exhibits
·        A celebration banquet for all attendees
·        Space to reconnect with colleagues from across the ELCA
 
Featured guests and speakers include:
·        Jeff Chu, co-author of Wholehearted Faith
·        The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the ELCA
·        The Rev. Dr. Karoline Lewis, chair biblical preaching at Luther Seminary
·        Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the first female elected bishop of the AME Church
·        Deacon Dr. Mindy Makant, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Lenoir-Rhyne University
·        Carmelo Santos, director for Theological Diversity and Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement for the ELCA
·        Bishop Kevin Strickland, bishop of the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA
 
Early registration (December 1- March 31) is $245. Booking travel and hotel is your responsibility. Once you register, you will be provided with links to the three gathering hotels, with room rates of $153 per night plus tax. A limited number of scholarships are available. Visit ELCA.org/rmg for more information.
 
Ecumenical Events:
 
Region 8 Events:
 
Other Continuing Education Opportunities:

• From Rev. Martin Zimmann:

Dear Colleagues in Ministry,
 
A Blessed Advent to you! I hope you will find inspiration in this quote from St. Oscar Romero. “No one can celebrate a genuine Christmas without being truly poor. The self-sufficient, the proud, those who, because they have everything, look down on others, those who have no need even of God – for them there will be no Christmas. Only the poor, the hungry, those who need someone to come on their behalf, will have that someone. That someone is God, Emmanuel, God-with-us. Without poverty of spirit there can be no abundance of God.”
 
Here’s information regarding upcoming Kindling Faith continuing education events that you can share in your networks. Thanks for helping us spread the word.
o   Visit Gettysburg with your church group! Our facility is a great place for a day outing or a two-day stay. We can offer Bible studies, conversations with the Admissions office, tours of the campus, library archives, and our award-winning museum (https://www.seminaryridgemuseum.org/). In addition, people can take advantage of the many attractions in the greater Gettysburg community (https://destinationgettysburg.com/). See attached flyer to schedule your visit soon.
 
o   Preaching Perspectives from the Middle East, January 9, 2023, 9 am – 1 pm EST via zoom. Log on to meet with Pastors Imad Haddad, Ashraf Tannous, and Fursan Zumot as they discuss the RCL readings for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter from a Palestinian Christian Perspective. These pastors are pursuing their DMin degrees at ULS as part of our ongoing relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. We are blessed to have them in our student body!
 
o   Combating Online Harassment, January 24, 2023, at 7 pm EST via Zoom. The church has an essential role to play in offering alternatives to a toxic online environment. Presented by Lauren Krapf, Esq. of the Anti-Defamation League (www.adl.org ).
 
Save the Dates:
o   ULS Book Club with President Erwin, February 27th, March 27th, April 24th at 7 pm EST via zoom. Dr. Erwin discusses Flowers of the Killer Moon and his perspective on Osage culture in this novel based on true events. The film version directed by Martin Scorcese will be released in May of 2023.
 
o   Nolde/Lazareth Lecture, March 20, 2023 at 7 pm on the Philadelphia campus and Livestream. Dr. Pamela Cooper-White, Dean of Union Theological Seminary discusses her new book The Psychology of Christian Nationalism.
 
o   Our American Muslim Neighbors: Christian Reflections on Islam, March 2, 9, 23, 30  (on zoom) and April 1st on the Philadelphia campus with a field trip to a local mosque with Dr. David Grafton of Hartford International University.
 
o   Spring Convocation, April 26, 2023 on the Gettysburg campus. This year’s theme, “Children of Abraham: Stewards of Creation.”
 
Registration for these events will be available soon. As always, I welcome your wisdom and insight as to how we can better serve the needs of ministry communities all over the ELCA. Feel free to reach out to me for conversation.
 
Walking Together as Synod:

• From our Companion’s in Germany the Evangelical Church in Central Germany (Evangelische Kirche in Mitteldeutschland (EKM):

Dear Bishop Lozano,
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
 
As we are approaching the Advent season I would like to send you some information about the EKM’s Singing Advent Calendar.
 
This Singing Advent Calender has become a tradition in our regional church and we feel blessed to share contributions from our international partner churches.
 
The ELCA-NWPA has also contributed, for which we are deeply grateful!
 
This contribution can be seen on December, 14th.
 
The video can be viewed at www.ekmd.de/advent (attention, the link will only work from December, 1st onwards). In addition, the contributions will be posted on the EKM Facebook page and on Instagram ("ekmbilder").
 
Wishing you a joyful and blessed Advent season, with greetings from Central Germany,
 
Judith
 
Dr Judith Königsdörfer
Ecumenical Officer Evangelical Church in Central Germany
Lothar Kreyssig Ecumenical Centre

• A few notes to Congregations (Treasurers) / Supply Pastors / Authorized Lay Worship Leaders:
• The Supply Pastor Compensation Guidelines are posted on the Synod Website. Please ensure you are following the Guidelines when calculating reimbursement for Supply Pastors – the number of worship services led on a weekend and the miles travel to and from the pastor’s home are part of the compensation.
• If a Supply Pastor is paid by a congregation over $600 for the year – then the congregation needs to issue a 1099 to the supply pastor for both the congregations and the supply pastor’s tax records. Congregations may have to issue multiple 1099s due to having multiple supply pastors.
• Congregations and Authorized Lay Worship Leaders will follow the same pattern for reimbursement and tax accountability.
• The Bishop is not compensated when the Bishop is at a congregation. Congregation Mission Support to our synod pays the Bishop’s salary, the synod car and gas. Congregations may desire to offer an honorarium to the Bishop, but the Bishop will redirect the congregation to give the gift to a local charity. It honestly makes the bishop happy to see and hear about the work of congregations in their communities.

 

• Pr. Doug Soley sent me a note to let our synod know of his and Cindy’s recent move to assisted living near their son and daughter in Michigan. They both recently had COVID so prayers are welcome. Their new address is Hampton Manor, 3099 Sterns Rd, Lambertville, MI 48144-9675.

 

• PA Health Equity Survey Open Until Dec. 31

Pennsylvania's regional health equity action teams have developed surveys that are open until Dec. 31 to identify and prioritize the most severe health issues experienced in your communities, such as; chronic disease, environmental hazards, community violence, substance use disorder, and mental health. The survey includes questions related to the barriers people face when trying to access health resources. The results of these surveys will help the Commonwealth work toward better health for all people statewide. We invite you to take the survey at the link below and to share with all in your community. Learn more about this effort here. Share the survey link widely. Northwest region: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BF9VZBN

• Tracey DePasquale, Director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania (LAMPa) is seeking input for shaping areas of advocacy within our state as her office works with our state legislature offices to raise of areas of concerns from across our state. LAMPa is a welcome voice by many of our representatives no matter the party they represent as LAMPa is viewed as advocating for all. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and let your voice be heard. Here is the link to the survey for LAMPa.

 
·        Tracey DePasquale, Director of LAMPa reports:
+ The 2022-23 Pennsylvania budget included significant gains for education, housing and creation care, and modest increase for anti-hunger programs.
 
+ A $1.8 billion increase in education funding made strides toward decreasing the funding gap in what has been one of the least equitable school funding systems in the country. The spending plan contained a $525 million increase through the Fair Funding Formula, with another $225 million targeted to the 100 neediest school districts.
 
+ Among LAMPa’s priorities, the spending plan allocated $375 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding for affordable housing construction, rehabilitation, and repairs. The Whole Home Repairs program will help Pennsylvanians, especially seniors and persons with disabilities, stay in their homes, while also increasing energy efficiency – reducing utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
 
+ LAMPa had also supported increases in funding for creation care, with a special focus on clean water in light of widespread waterway impairment across the Commonwealth. The budget allocated $884.75 million for clean water, land conservation, parks, energy efficiency and forest investments. This includes $696 million for the new State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Program—formerly known as the Growing Greener program—as well as new funding for clean water infrastructure in the Clean Streams Fund. The budget also increased critical environmental agency budgets by $63.75 million. The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), the Department of Agriculture (PDA), and river basin commissions were invested in after decades of cuts, directly resulting in more staffing and programming.
 
+ Years of advocacy finally resulted in passage of a law to regulate use of fertilizers by lawn and landscaping businesses in an effort to cleanup our waterways.
 
+ The budget also included an extra $10 million for disaster response for events not deemed a federally declared disaster.
 
+ While the hunger budget flat-funded the State Food Purchase Program after recent COVID-related increases, the State Agriculture Surplus System saw a $2 million increase. The budget also contained a $1 million grant to encourage colleges to address hunger. In the fall, Gov. Wolf directed funds accrued during the pandemic toward free breakfast for all school students this school year, helping to counter hardship caused by inflation and the ending of various federal pandemic-era supports for families.
 
+ In the waning days of the 2022 session, the General Assembly passed, and the governor signed legislation lifting the cap the state’s housing trust fund by $20 million.
 
In addition to some mixed progress in Harrisburg, I celebrate the signs of new growth among us and look forward to nurturing it together.
+ The policy council, which had been struggling with multiple vacancies, is now almost complete…
 
+ We held inaugural statewide meetings with hunger and creation care leaders from every synod and look forward to regular virtual and in-person gatherings of those networks, plus teams focused on LGBTQIA issues and housing/homelessness (and possibly AMMPARO) in the new year.
 
+ Although the environmental sustainability project that was launched at the 2021 Sequanota Summit did not materialize the way we envisioned, there is a promise and progress of continued support, especially in light of the action taken at this year’s Churchwide Assembly moving us toward the goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
 
+ The Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project is gaining interest and an eagerness to participate, which I hope we might turn into lasting engagement and witness in addition to creating the imperative to see that everyone has a safe place to call home.
 
+ Seeds we have planted with our accompaniment of our partners in LDR appear to be growing and bearing fruit.
 
+ Once again, LAMPa volunteers contacted every county elections office in the state to learn what support was needed for running the elections. We shared that information with every synod, and to the extend possible, with advocates we knew in those areas.
 
+ In-person gatherings have yielded surprise and joy that in fact, the church is engaged in this work.
 
+ Starting with a presentation at our September retreat, we have begun exploring a relationship with the organization Braver Angels as a way of helping us not only foster civil discourse in our work, congregations and communities, but also to help stop demonization.
 
+ My service with the task force developing the new ELCA Social Statement on government and civic engagement has been deeply meaningful, and I look forward to the upcoming release of rich materials for study and feedback on the further development of the teaching resource.
 
+ I look forward to celebrating LAMPa’s 45th anniversary in 2024, and am excited that plans are underway with encouragement.

• Vocations Committee Representation – The Synod Vocation’s Committee is seeking two (2) lay female representatives to serve on the Committee for a six year term. The Vocation’s Committee primary task is to receive candidates for rostered ministry and after entrance to support them in their discernment and formation towards ordained ministry and finally determining if the candidates will be approved for ordination. To maintain a representative balance from across our synod the Committee is seeking representatives from the Cameron-Elks-McKean-Potter Conference and Indiana-Jefferson Conference. Please send nominations to Bp. Lozano and Pr. Karen Thompson.

 

• Congregational Meeting Season

A reminder for congregations to review their congregational constitutions to ensure they will meet the requirements to meet (quorum).
 
Congregations should elect (see constitutions) Voting Members to the Synod Assembly – June 9-10, 2023 and forward the names to our synod office.

• Form A / Form C will be sent out soon after the new year starts. Congregations will submit their responses on-line in 2023. If your congregation does not have access to the internet please determine an alternative (member of congregation, relative of member of  congregation, local library, local business, etc.) If you need assistance in filling out the forms please contact the synod office for guidance. The synod office will not be filling out and submitting congregational forms. 

 

• Conference Meeting Season (April-May) Approaching

According to our synod constitution Conferences are to meet during the months of April and May to nominate representatives to our Synod Council. In 2023 there are three lay and two rostered leaders to be elected to synod council. (See below). Additionally, our synod constitution notes conferences gather for a. common planning and development of strategies for the church on the territory; b. advice on location, relocation, realignment or closing of congregations; c. interpretation to congregational leadership of the mission efforts of this church, synod and region; d. memorializing the synod to take action on an issue broader than an internal conference matter; e. liaison between the synod and the congregations of the conference; and f. such other functions as the synod may assign them. The voting members of a Conference gathering shall include one lay person from each congregation within the Conference, one person from each agency or institution operating within the Conference, and all rostered leaders within the Conference. And will be convened by the representatives from the Conference who serve on Synod Council. Please do not make the bishop use S12.01.M21. (A Conference meeting may be called by the synod bishop.) though the bishop or synod staff person would like to be present at each Conference meeting.
 
Synod Council Three Year Term 2023-2026
Clarion/Forest/Venango/Warren Conference: Lay Leader
Cameron/Elk/McKean/Potter Conference: Rostered Leader
Crawford/Mercer Conference: Lay Leader
Erie Conference: Rostered Leader
Indiana/Jefferson Conference: Lay Leader
 
Ø  Synod Assembly Planning Team
I will be convening a Planning Team for the 2023-2025 synod assemblies in January (by Zoom). I am looking for lay nominees to serve on the Planning Team. I have a representative from the Indiana/Jefferson Conference. If you know of someone in the other conferences who might serve please send me an email with their contact information. The Planning Team will be looking at a number of topics including themes, pre and post assembly events, dates and locations, etc.

• Revitalizing Synod Committees, Teams, Working Groups

Early in the new year I will be asking for individuals to serve on our synod’s committees but also several other forms of working together in order to address the mission and ministry of our synod. Please watch for more information in future bishop’s notes.

• Second Class of ALWL training and Continuing Education for current ALWLs. Introduction to the Lutheran Confessions 2023: This course will delve into the writings of Martin Luther and the early reformers. Audio, video and written materials will be used to introduce Lutheran history and theological concepts. Conversation, lecture and the adult learning model will facilitate individual and group synthesis of the materials. Weekly questions and small projects will assist individuals in discovering the application of Lutheran theology for application for the authorized lay worship leader instructional program.

Course Dates: February 18, 25, March 11, 18, 25 and April 8.
More information will be posted after the first of the year.

• Greetings from Lutherlyn! Please share these announcements with your congregation and copy into your bulletin and/or newsletter. For more information or if there is something that Lutherlyn can do for you, please contact [email protected] or call 724-865-2161. We hope to see you at camp soon!
• Quilting/Crafting Retreat January 10-15, 2023: Come and join us for a fun-filled week (Tuesday – Sunday, arrive whenever you choose) of quilting / crafting / reading / relaxing / creating. It's a great time of fun and fellowship that's very popular with quilters, scrapbookers, and other crafters. (Registration Deadline January 2) for more information please visit www.lutherlyn.com/crafting
• Winter Retreat January 20-22, 2023: for 4th-12th graders (campers will be divided by age groups and stay in cabin with cabin leaders from the summer staff). GAGA ball in the snow, Bible study, the bouldering room, songs, worship, friends, indoor and outdoor games, lots of your summer camp favorites, and fun in the wonderful winter weather! (Registration Deadline January 11) for more information please visit www.lutherlyn.com/winter

 
Congregations in Transition:

1. Christ, Sharon and Holy Trinity, Hermitage. The congregations have a model of shared pastoral ministry.
2. Grove Chapel, Indiana and Harmony Grove, Creekside. Two-point parish.
3. Zion, Mayport
4. Luther Memorial, Erie. Call Committee considering Candidate
5. St. Paul, Erie Call Committee developing MSP
6. Tabor, Kane Call Committee developing MSP

 
Ministry Site Profile (MSP) Activity Log:
The following congregations’ MSPs are listed based on date of activation:

1. Zion, Mayport as of 10/20/2021
2. Holy Trinity, Hermitage as of 11/2/2021
3. Christ, Sharon as of 1/19/2022
4. Salem, Lamartine as of 4/27/2022
5. Luther Memorial, Erie as of 5/20/2022
6. Grove Chapel, Indiana as of 7/19/2022
7. Harmony Grove, Creekside as of 9/7/2022

 
Clarion-Forest-Venango-Warren Conference:
 
Cameron-Elks-McKean-Potter Conference:
 
Crawford-Mercer Conference:
 
Erie Conference:

• Erie Conference Epiphany Service with Holy Communion and Burning of the Greens: Friday, January 6, 2023, 7:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 5414 East Lake Road, Erie, PA, 16511. We will start indoors with a celebration of Holy Communion, then process to the lawn behind the church for the burning of our Christmas trees and greenery. The Burning of the Greens was introduced at Faith Lutheran by Pastor David Laakso, and has been a favorite tradition for some time. Dress warm. You can also watch the bonfire from the comfort of the social hall. Afterwards, we’ll have hot chocolate and cookies. Everyone can take home a “Blessing of the Home” kit with chalk and a simple home blessing liturgy for the Epiphany season. All are welcome.

 
Indiana-Jefferson Conference:

• The congregation of Harmony Grove is seeking a supply pastor to provide Sunday coverage for a baptism, new members and installation of new Council members. In addition a pastor to cover Christmas Eve or Day. And would like to establish a pattern of coverage at least four times a year. Harmony Grove is linked with Grove Chapel so coverage on Sunday would also include Grove Chapel. Please contact Myrna Orr at 724-397-2615.

 
Commentary:
Please distribute the attached note on my health to your congregations and other communities who have and are praying for me.
 
Again this week’s Notes are filled with many new things like Journi and links to information from our Companion Synods and PA Department of Health and ULS continuing education events.
 
It feels like Advent is picking up the pace and quickening towards the Christ-mass. Schedules are tightening and deadlines looming. The end of the year approaches. I am reminded of the words of my liturgy profession as he advised us in leading worship, “Be at peace.” Be at peace dear synod. And pray for peace in our time.
 
Called to Serve,
 
Bp. Lozano